Ex-Chicago cop who stole $300,000 in tax fraud is sentenced

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Ex-Chicago cop who stole $300,000 in tax fraud is sentenced

CHICAGO — A former Chicago police officer has been sentenced to six months in prison for income tax fraud that netted him about $300,000.

Steven Segura was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood, who ordered him to repay the amount stolen. Prosecutors asked for a 2 and 2 ½- year prison sentence as called for under federal sentencing guidelines.

The 42-year-old Segura pleaded guilty in December to five counts of mail fraud and making false claims to the Internal Revenue Service.

The former officer sobbed several times, saying he takes “responsibility for my actions.” Segura told the judge he had been an alcoholic for 25 years but was now sober.

In a sentencing filing, prosecutors said Segura created phony trusts and filed multiple tax returns for three years, falsely claiming refunds in excess of $1 million.